E.J. Hutchinson

Real Beauty's on the Inside

After "Catullus 86" 

To many, Quintia is beautiful.

  To me, she’s fair, tall, has good posture.

These traits are only individual.

  But “beautiful” in sum? I’m less sure.

For Quintia wants elegance. Her body

  Is bodacious, but beneath

Is shapeless wit; in soul she’s not a hottie.

  She’s candy, and she’ll rot your teeth.

But Lesbia? She’s beautiful. She’s got

  It all: that toothsome outside flavor,

But matched by what my poetry has taught,

  Mordant repartee’s salty savor.

E.J. Hutchinson is Associate Professor of Classics at Hillsdale College and Director of Hillsdale's Collegiate Scholars Program. His poetry and translations have previously appeared in National Review, First Things, and Ad Fontes.